The Nigeria Police Force has announced plans to host a three-day program to commemorate International Youth Day (IYD) 2026, with activities scheduled for 20 to 22 August at the Nigeria Police Resource Centre, Jabi, Abuja.
The program, themed “Different Contexts, Common Aspirations,” in line with the United Nations International Youth Day theme, will also feature corresponding activities across police zonal and state commands nationwide.
According to the Force, the initiative is designed as a preventive policing program to promote youth leadership, responsible citizenship, innovation, entrepreneurship, digital responsibility and peaceful participation in democratic processes.
The program is also expected to strengthen partnerships between the police and young people in efforts to build safer and more peaceful communities.
Activities lined up for the three-day event include youth leadership dialogues, Police-Youth engagement sessions, panel discussions, innovation and entrepreneurship showcases, a peace and security walkathon, novelty sporting activities and a national tree-planting campaign.
The tree-planting initiative, tagged “Plant Peace. Grow Nigeria. Secure the Future,” will be complemented by youth honours and awards recognizing outstanding contributions by young Nigerians.
The Force will also launch a publication titled Esteemed Youths: A National Youth Reorientation Resource on August 22.
As part of the program, two nationwide youth reorientation campaigns will be launched.
The first, “My Future Is Greater Than Political and Digital Thuggery,” seeks to discourage political violence, electoral thuggery and digital manipulation among young people.
The second campaign, “Think Before You Click. Verify Before You Share,” is aimed at promoting responsible digital citizenship while addressing misinformation, disinformation, cyberbullying and the misuse of emerging technologies.
The police invited ministries, departments and agencies, development partners, diplomatic missions, youth organizations, educational institutions, civil society organizations, faith-based organizations, the private sector and members of the public to participate in and support the initiative.
Interested participants can register through the official program portal, www.iyd26.silvaweb.com.ng.
The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, in a statement issued on Sunday, said the Nigeria Police Force remained committed to preventive policing through strategic engagement with young people.
According to the statement, empowering young Nigerians with appropriate values, opportunities and leadership platforms was essential to building a peaceful, secure and prosperous country.
